First yes from the Chamber to the Locatelli bill for those who assist a relative with a disability. Now it’s up to the Senate. The application is not yet possible and the check will not be available to everyone
Up to 400 euros per month for those who take care of a disabled family member every day. It is the aid provided for by the bill on family caregivers, known as the Locatelli bill, which received the green light from the House. Be careful, however: it is not yet a law, the Senate has not yet voted and the allowance is only intended for a part of the caregivers.
Caregiver bonus 2027: those entitled to 400 euros per month
The allowance for caregivers is tax-free and is paid by INPS every three months, in installments of up to 1,200 euros. To obtain it you need three requirements, all together:
- guarantee at least 91 hours of assistance per week, approximately 13 per day;
- live with the person cared for and be the primary caregiver;
- have a personal income of no more than 3,000 euros per year and an ISEE of up to 25,000 euros (the Chamber raised the limit, which was 15,000).
The 400 euros are a maximum limit, not a guaranteed amount: the amount will depend on the resources. At the moment they are 257 million in 2027 and 260 million per year from 2028.
Who is the family caregiver and what disability does he serve: the role of Law 104
The family caregiver is someone who assists a disabled or non-self-sufficient relative without being paid, and without making it a profession. The assisted person must have a disability recognized by Law 104 or receive the accompanying allowance. Anyone who does not yet have these documents must therefore start with the verification request.
Can I already apply for the caregiver bonus?
You cannot yet ask for the caregiver bonus. The INPS platform, where caregivers will have to register to be recognised, is not yet active. First the approval of the Senate is needed (and if the text changes, it must return to the Chamber) and the implementing decrees once the final green light has been given in Parliament. The money allocated for 2026 is used to create the portal; therefore, the first payments are expected during 2027.
Protections for those who attend fewer hours: permits, study and civil service
The bill also provides aid for those who remain outside the bonus. The protections are divided into bands: from 30 to 90 hours per week, from 10 to 29, plus caregivers who do not live with the patient, as long as they dedicate at least 30 hours. Among the measures envisaged:
- solidarity leave, i.e. the possibility for colleagues to give up days of vacation or leave to those who care for a family member in serious conditions;
- no tuition fees and tuition credits for students caring for a relative;
- civil service hours adapted to care commitments.
Why the Locatelli bill is criticized
Oppositions and associations consider the requirements too rigid and the resources scarce: according to estimates, the bonus would reach around 52 thousand people, out of 7-8.5 million caregivers in Italy. The absence of notional pension contributions, i.e. credited without the caregiver paying them, also weighs heavily, which is one of the most heartfelt requests from those who leave work to dedicate themselves to care. The discussion on the budget law, underway in Parliament, could also lengthen the Senate’s time.
